European Union Renews Sanctions Against Belarus

17.10.2012

The European Union has renewed its sanctions against Belarus because no real changes have taken place in the country, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said at the meeting of the European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

“Belarus did not wish to carry out its recent parliamentary elections honestly and transparently and opposition candidates were not given equal opportunities to participate in the elections,” Paet stated.

Foreign Minister Paet said that we must demand that Belarus frees and rehabilitates all of its political prisoners and ends repressions. “These are requirements for removing the sanctions,” he noted. Paet emphasised that we must continue to contribute to the dialogue on modernisation, include Belarus in European Union Eastern Partnership programmes, and develop contacts among citizens.

In talking about Georgia, the Estonian foreign minister said that the successful parliamentary elections there confirm the strength of democracy, and Estonia will continue to work with Georgia and support Georgia’s aspirations to the European Union and NATO. “Continued support from the European Union is also important,” the foreign minister added.